Medial Soft-Tissue Realignment Versus Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction for Recurrent Patellar Dislocation: Systematic Review

PurposeTo compare the clinical outcomes between medial soft-tissue surgery and medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction for recurrent patellar dislocation without any evident predisposing factors.MethodsA literature search was performed on the established medical databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane register. The inclusion criteria were as follows: English-language papers for recurrent patellar dislocation without any evident predisposing factors, clinical trial(s) with clear description of surgical technique, adult subjects, medial soft-tissue surgery or MPFL reconstruction without combined surgery, and a follow-up longer than 2 years. The methodological quality of all articles was assessed by 2 authors according to the Coleman methodology score.ResultsThirteen studies (mean Coleman methodology score value, 74.1; standard deviation, 11.5) were included in the analysis. Five studies reported the outcomes of patients undergoing medial soft-tissue surgery, compared with 7 studies reporting MPFL reconstruction. Overall, 109 patients underwent medial soft-tissue surgery with a minimum 2-years follow-up, compared with 308 patients of MPFL reconstruction. There was one direct comparative study between medial soft-tissue surgery and MPFL reconstruction. Of the patients who received medial soft-tissue surgery, 0 to 9.7% experienced redislocation, compared with 0 to 10.7% of the MPFL reconstruction group. The ranges of differences in Kujala scores were 23.6 to 31.7 points in patients who underwent medial soft-tissue surgery and 23.11 to 38.8 points in patients who underwent MPFL reconstruction. The ranges of postoperative congruence angles were −14.4° to 8.2° for medial soft-tissue surgery and −7.7° to −5.2° for MPFL reconstruction. The ranges of postoperative lateral patellofemoral angles were 7.9° to 9.4° for medial soft-tissue surgery and 5° to 5.3° for MPFL reconstruction.ConclusionsAll studies on medial soft-tissue surgery and MPFL reconstruction for recurrent patellar dislocation without predisposing factors showed satisfactory outcomes despite the use of numerous surgical techniques, graft types, and follow-up periods.Level of EvidenceLevel IV, Systematic Review.